Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

meretrix

noun
mer·e·trix | \ˈmerə̇(ˌ)‧triks\
plural meretrices\ˌmerə̇‧ˈtrī(ˌ)sēz \

Definition of meretrix 

: prostitute with my lamentable visits to the Ring at Blackfriars, or to my meretrix in Holland Park— Cyril Connolly

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for meretrix

Latin, from merēre to earn, gain

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about meretrix

Dictionary Entries near meretrix

meresman

merestone

meretricious

meretrix

merfolk

merganser

merge

Statistics for meretrix

Look-up Popularity

Comments on meretrix

What made you want to look up meretrix? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

acceptation

a generally accepted meaning of a word

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz

  • scrabble-tiles-that-read-scrabble-quiz
  • Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games